History hasn’t been revealing in who invented the first chair, but it was likely back in the Neolithic Period. Stone tools allowed our ancestors to take some of the first steps towards developing furniture by chiseling away a bench out of a larger rock.

A modern interpretation of the klismos chair. Photo credit: 1stdibs.com.

Around the time of the Egyptian pharaohs, chairs were status symbols. Common folk sat on stools while those of royalty or elite status sat in chairs with backs and arms. From the inception of the words chair and throne, there has seemingly been a difference. Chair can be traced back to the Greeks and means ‘to sit down’, whereas throne comes from an Indo-European base for ‘hold’ or ‘support’ (Jewell & Abate, 2001). As has been interpreted, the discrepancy in the two meanings shows how chairs are for anyone to sit in while the throne supported the elite.

In the 5th century B.C., the Greeks invented one of the most depicted chairs in all of antiquity, the klismos chair. The light-weight chair with curved legs is seen on many painted pieces of pottery, stone carvings, and other artworks. While elegant, without further structural support the legs can spread apart and eventually crack or break when someone sits down on the seat (Crantz, 1998).

The throne of King Louis XIV of France. Public domain.

After a period of relative stagnation, chairs and thrones resumed their larger role in society in the Renaissance. They became refined, highly decorated, and comfortable. These places to sit became pieces of art, adorned with gold, silver, and precious stones (de Dampierre, 2006). Different types of chairs were starting to be widely used. Those who could afford them now had separate dining chairs, side chairs, armchairs, and other specific-use seating.

Today, as our lives become less about threshing and more about checking email, there are seating styles that are more practical and ergonomic for our hours in front of a computer. The classic task chairs are now designed to be comfortable and adjustable in a multitude of ways. There are different options for perching, for learning, and sitting at conference tables.

The HON Ignition 2.0 task chair is an example of 21st century functionality. It provides a breathable mesh back, adjustable arms, lumbar support, and a synchronized tilt that allows the user to adjust the chair to meet his or her needs.

The rest of this post is a quote from Witold Rybczynski, the author of Now I Sit Me Down. It shows how a difference in seating habits can result in a wide variety of cultural norms.

“If you sit on floor mats, you are likely to develop an etiquette that requires removing footwear before entering the home. You are also more likely to wear sandals or slippers rather than laced-up shoes, and loose clothing that enables you to squat or sit cross-legged. Floor-sitters tend not to use tall wardrobes—it is more convenient to store things in chests and low cabinets closer to floor level. People who sit on mats are more likely to sleep on mats, too, just as chair-sitters are more likely to sleep in beds. Chair-sitting societies develop a variety of furniture such as dining tables, dressing tables, coffee tables, desks, and sideboards. Sitting on the floor also affects architecture: walking around the house in bare feet or socks demands smooth floors—no splinters—preferably warm wood rather than stone; places to sit are likely to be covered with soft mats or woven carpets; tall windowsills and very tall ceilings hold less appeal. Lastly, posture has direct physical effects. A lifetime of sitting unsupported on the floor develops muscles not required for chair-sitting, which is why chair-sitters, unaccustomed to sitting cross-legged, soon become uncomfortable in that position. And vice versa.”

As you can see, humans have had a long history with the chair. From chiseled benches and wood-carved stools to task seating with ergonomic designs, we have come a long way.

Make sure that you aren’t left in the stone age and check out the new HON seating options at hon.com.

The Super Bowl may be over, but here’s how you can get in the game with HON – all year round! “Huddle” up and let’s set the scene…

Monday morning, the clock strikes 8 and your office doors open. You and your team members are suited up for the big day, hoping to make it to the “Super Goal”. But your success depends on the right team, the right strategy and the right tools.

You need an offensive winning lineup of seating to keep you moving forward, each chair playing a different role while working together as a team to be a comprehensive solution for your entire space.

You need to be backed by the strongest, most dependable defensive line in the industry – an unparalleled lifetime warranty.

Your team should practice hard, focusing on Rapid Continuous Improvement and using Voice of the Customer research so you never stop improving.

Play by the rule book of sustainability and uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, with a HON Ready attitude and an emphasis on corporate responsibility.

Motivate your employees with the flexibility to update your team colors at any time with thousands of fabric and finish options.

Most of all, you need more than fans; you need members who are inspired by practicality and fully invested in helping you grow. When you recruit HON as your office Quarterback, you cheer for the winning team.

Want to “Coordinate” your next play with HON? Visit hon.com today to see how getting in the game with HON can help you reach your goals.

It would seem these days that, if you want an ergonomic task chair that will stand the test of time while still being comfortable and looking good, you have to break the bank to pay for it. Or, if you can’t stretch the budget, you’re stuck with a chair that just doesn’t quite meet your needs. At HON, we saw the need for a budget-friendly chair that didn’t skimp on options to fill a gap in the marketplace, and from that observation, Convergence was born. A chair that will adapt to today’s changing workplace demands, be comfortable while doing it, and is backed by the HON brand is just what the doctor ordered—read on to find out more!

A Chair of All TradesWhat do you want in your desk chair? Style, functionality, comfort, and a reasonable price are the first things that come to mind. And who says you should have to sacrifice one to get the rest? Convergence certainly doesn’t. It offers a contemporary design to fit in with new workspaces, but still has a classic look that will integrate seamlessly with an existing layout. Need to switch things up quickly? Easy—just grab onto Convergence’s handle integrated within the top of the chair’s back and wheel away. And if you want to save some money in an area where you don’t need all the bells and whistles, you can do that, too. Convergence comes with several options to give you everything from the budget-friendly basic to the fully decked-out work chair.

Designed with Comfort in MindHow do you define comfort when it comes to your chair? It’s likely different from the person sitting next to you, but everyone can probably agree that there are a few key features when it comes to a comfortable chair, and Convergence fits that bill. The first thing you’ll notice when you sit down is the seat cushion—three inches of contoured foam that gives you comfort that won’t quit no matter how long you sit. There’s also an integrated lumbar support that’s easy to move when you want to change how it hits your back as your day progresses, and this makes it perfect for co-working spaces to adapt to different body types and preferences. Lastly, the adjustable arms and optional seat slider allow you to fine-tune your sit so that Convergence is the perfect fit, no matter what you’re doing or how you’re working.

Backed by HONMost chairs that come in at a budget-friendly price point wouldn’t have much else backing them up, but Convergence is much more than just a budget-friendly task chair. It’s designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA, and backed by the HON Full Lifetime Warranty. Convergence is not just a response to a flash in the pan trend—it’s a chair that will stand the test of time in the office of today and tomorrow.

It’s the remix to Ignition,you know HON’s on a missionto keep you rollin’ at work
and have all your coworkers wishin’
their chairs were made here at HON.
That’s how we get things done.Seating is evolving, baby, your workday’s about to get fun…

Ok, I had to! But even the most perfect parody song doesn’t tell the full story of the evolution of Ignition. As HON’s best-selling seating line, it seemed an impossible feat to find even one way to make it better (let alone over 10, but who is counting?). But HON knew that, if the workplace was evolving, its furniture needed to evolve with it.

Ignition was first introduced in 2009 as an all-in-one seating solution to provide the perfect fit for every body type, work style and office activity. HON recognized that personalized comfort energizes a workforce, and this idea quickly sparked new designs that ignited a movement toward a host of ergonomic and aesthetic enhancements to help you work better.

Why personalization? The ability to personalize Ignition 2.0 is how we deliver your perfect fit. Take advantage of 4 new custom controls, stabilize your back with an easy-to-adjust lumbar support, or modify the quick-adjust back to adapt to your specific needs and preferences. Choose between a Black frame and the new Titanium option, then pick from an expanded fabric selection to coordinate with an existing office aesthetic or just show off your personal style.

Why comfort? Ignition 2.0. was designed to comfortably, flexibly, dynamically move you to change the world. Tailored to your body, new molded seat foam invites you to sit in your chair, rather than on it. The enhanced back design now includes ilira®-stretch mesh that flexes in every direction to create a soft, responsive feel and target support where it’s needed most – no matter what your workday brings.

Still looking for more reasons to love Ignition 2.0?

Let me hear you whoot, whoot, because we’ll give it to you cheap, cheap!

(Last song reference, I promise!) A knocked down (KD) version of the task chair with patent-pending Quick Connect arms is also available, offering slimmer packaging and allowing Ignition 2.0 to reach a lower price point than ever before.

When it comes to sitting, HON is taking a stand for greater comfort and productivity. It has been a year since we launched the high performance task seating line, Solve, and we are excited to introduce even more features to this versatile solution. Here are three more ways to put the power of customization in your hands with Solve:

1. Whether you want to match your brand aesthetic or just pick your favorite color, make a design statement with the new Titanium frame.

2. One of Solve’s three back options, ilira®-stretch, is a knit fabric that uses your own weight to create a softer, more personal fit. If comfortability wasn’t enough, we’ve added new color options, including recently launched Navy, Charcoal and Chai. This responsive mesh back is also available in Fog and the traditional Black.

3. More options mean more control over your chair and how you work. Now you can choose from fixed arms, height- and width-adjustable arms, or 4D arms that adjust in all directions to enjoy truly customized support.

State of the art ReActiv™ Back technology. Three back options. Adjustable arms. Optional lumbar support. Advanced ergonomic tilt control. Backed by HON’s Full Lifetime Warranty. There are so many reasons why Solve is the answer for comfort and versatility.

Want to learn more about how the latest Solve expansion can help you keep up with evolving work styles and environments? Visit the Solve spotlight page on hon.com

If you’ve ever had any training in ergonomics, you probably know that one advantage of having an ergonomically-designed workspace is employee retention. An ergonomic workspace designed to promote wellness can help employees feel valued by management, increase their sense of worth and improve productivity. With HON, you can create healthier workspaces without sacrificing design. Take a look at the environment ideas below to see how you can create an office that is both functional and fashionable:

1. Keep Ergonomics in Mind While Maximizing the Office Footprint

Commercial real estate square footage is valuable, but just because you’re trying to save space doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice ergonomics or looks—check out this great semi-private office setup that uses Voi® modular desks and the Ceres® task chair:

Without wasting any office footprint, this configuration empowers two individuals to choose between a sitting or standing height work position throughout the day. The Ceres task chair has been designed to reduce pressure on the backs of the legs and evenly distribute weight for proper support.

2. Make the Workspace Employee-Friendly

Sometimes leaving your bed in the morning is hard, and having to go into an office that isn’t visually inviting doesn’t make that task any easier. Help alleviate some of that difficulty by using elements like HON’s recently expanded active storage line – Contain®.

As offices continue to shift away from archival storage there’s a greater need for active storage that employees can use for more personal items. Contain is a perfect fit for those needs. Pair it with Voi, the Ceres task chair and some Flock® modular lounge seating and you’ve got a work area that has enough privacy to allow work to be completed, but is also a warm and inviting space where employees will want to spend their time.

3. Create an Office that Adapts to New Work Styles

Long gone are the days of individuals working heads-down in a cubicle for 8 hours—with the rise of the millennial generation, the way that people get work done is changing just as quickly as the age bracket of employees. There is an increased focus on collaboration in today’s office design that can be addressed by using products that cater to impromptu meetings, are technologically powered, and also provide a place to get away from your desk for a change of pace and to refresh your mind. Accommodate™ and Arrange™, HON’s newest seating and table lines, support an active and collaborative work style.

While providing a coordinated design aesthetic that could be utilized in any part of an office, these complementary product lines are versatile in their functionality as well. Use them in a café space that could also become an impromptu conference room, a break room where employees can have a midday snack and charge their phones, or pair with Flock for more of a booth-style solution.

The number of ways to style a workspace are endless, but one thing is certain: there’s no reason why an office can’t be both efficient and enjoyable.

What are your favorite new trends in office furniture and workplace design?

Today’s workers are more mobile than ever before, and it’s easy to get distracted from your workplace wellness priorities when you’re constantly moving between different work environments. From investing in ergonomic furniture to choosing healthier food options, here are some great ways to keep on top of your health in the busy office!

Staying Active

You might really love Cross-Fit, while I’m a huge yoga fan. As long as you’re getting in at least 3 decent workouts a week, you’ll be doing your body some good and ensuring you have the energy needed to be productive in the office. Here’s what the American Heart Association recommends:

At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 5 times per week for a total of 150

OR

At least 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity at least 3 days per week for a total of 75 minutes; or a combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity

AND

Moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days per week for additional health benefits

For lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, an average of 40 minutes ofmoderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic activity 3 or 4 times per week

That’s all well and good, but what about when you’re not exercising or sleeping—the other 15.5 hours of your day? Don’t forget about proper posture and ergonomics, because those are just as important for keeping your body in tune (and pain-free) while you work as working out regularly can be.

When seated, ensure that you’re maintaining a healthy posture: Keep your feet on the ground, your back supported with back of your chair, and make sure your feet, legs and arms are well supported. Also make sure that your neck and shoulders remain relaxed and supported. Posture is important for blood flow and overall comfort throughout the day.

Are you drinking enough water? Want an easy way to make sure you are? Give Plant Nanny a try.

Plant Nanny may sound (and look) like something that is meant for your 10 year old niece, but it’s a fun way to keep you adequately hydrated. You can personalize your account to determine how much water per day you truly need, and then the app sends you reminders throughout the day if you haven’t logged your intake. It’s incredibly helpful, especially when you’re busy.

Some other tips to help you get enough water throughout the day:

Start your day with some herbal tea or warm water with lemon to fire up your digestive system.

Throw a few spare water bottles in the car for when you’re stuck in traffic or just forget your regular bottle.

Keep a HON mug or water bottle visible at your desk so you remember to sip throughout the day.

Eating Right

Lacking your nutrition? There’s an app for that. My go-to is MyFitnessPal, because it’s great regardless of whether you’re trying to lose weight, maintain, or just make sure you’re getting the right nutrients.

If you don’t have time to track every single thing you’re eating, that’s okay, too.

Bring healthy snacks with you every day so that you aren’t tempted by the candy bar you’ve been hiding in the back of your desk drawer when mid-day hunger strikes.

Eat the cake that was ordered in for Mary Sue’s birthday (in moderation). Forbidding yourself from having any treats can lead to binges or overall poor eating habits. So have a slice of birthday cake (just ask for a smaller piece) and have some extra vegetables with dinner instead of that baked potato to balance it out.

Start with salad (or carrots, or spinach, or celery). Not only does this help make you feel fuller faster, but the fiber in veggies like these help coat your stomach to optimize your digestive enzymes and make it easier for your body to process your dinner.

You may have heard these recommendations before, or you may not have. Either way, I hope that they help you stay on track with your own health and wellness goals, whatever they may be.